The Colts have sprinted to the best record in football behind a combination of precision offense and an eye-popping defense with seven stars 25 or under--and they aren't the only team riding a youth movement in a year when young and hungry is the surest ticket to the postseason

On the Road With ... Dennis Rodman

July 1-3, Sonkajarvi, Finland Rodman attends the Wife-Carrying World Championships, but declines to compete, saying he lacks proper training, not to mention an able wife. (His had a broken leg.) He vows to get in shape for next year's event. "I'll carry the kids around the house or something," he says.

Sept. 14, Hollywood The new commissioner of the Lingerie Football League (Rodman) hosts a bash for Lingerie Bowl III, to be played Super Bowl Sunday--and throws down a lacy gauntlet to Paul Tagliabue: LFL champs vs. NFL champs. (Tags has yet to respond.)

Oct. 29, Las Vegas The Worm becomes the first guest to stay in the Hardwood Suite at the Palms Resort and Casino. The $50,000-a-night room features two floors and an adjoining basketball court with a locker room and ball racks. (Cheerleaders are extra.)

Nov. 6, Helsinki Finnish team Torpan Pojat signs Rodman to a one-game contract for about $59,000. Rodman, out partying until 5 a.m. the night before, shows up at the Helsinki Ice Hall three hours early, mutters a few expletives when informed of it, then scarfs down meatballs and mashed potatoes at the Ice Hall café. He finishes with 17 points before a league-record crowd of 7,420. "I haven't touched a ball for four months, so I did a pretty good job," he says.

Next stop, Tijuana In October, Rodman, 44, signed with the Tijuana Dragons of the ABA. His first game is Nov. 24.

Before he became the premier postseason performer of his generation, the Patriots icon was a middling college quarterback who invited skepticism, even scorn, from fans and his coaches. That was all—and that was everything